Argentine Patagonia experts determine cause of death of whales found on shores

[sl8]

https://en.mercopress.com/2022/10/24/argentine-patagonia-experts-determine-cause-of-death-of-whales-found-on-shores

Argentine Patagonia experts determine cause of death of whales found on shores

Monday, October 24th 2022 - 10:42 UTC

Experts have determined that the cause of the recent death of 30 whales in the Valdés Peninsula, in the Argentine province of Chubut, was a harmful algal bloom also referred to as “red tide.” The findings of the dead mammals took place between late September and early October.

This cause of death was determined by researchers from the Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas (ICB) and other environmentalist groups, which also confirmed that Magellanic penguins, seabirds, and a sea lion had also died from the same cause.

Since October 10, no new whale deaths have been recorded, “which coincides with a marked decrease in the abundance of the paralytic toxin-producing species in the plankton and in the levels of biotoxins in mollusks in the New Gulf,” it was explained.

Specialists from the Southern Right Whale Sanitary Monitoring Program (PMSBFA) and the Directorate of Fauna and Flora of Chubut also confirmed the diagnoses after an extensive and thorough investigation that involved necropsies of some whales, gastrointestinal studies, and the analysis of biotoxins in samples of animal tissues, water, and bivalves.

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[2naSalit]

1. As the oceans warm...

We will see more of this. In the Rocies, we now have dangerous algal blooms in summer. Many rivers in our state had harsh restrictions and closures all summer for fishing and boating due to high water temps. We're up here in the headwaters, it's not looking great these days.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Unbearaby sad. It all could have been prevented, were it not for greed.

Making a huge profit is not more important than the lives of others.